Method for driving a gas-discharge panel

ABSTRACT

When performing the line-sequential addressing for setting the state of each of the cells arranged in rows and columns that constitute a display screen, discharge is generated that has intensity in accordance with display data corresponding to each of all cells belonging to the selected row for each selection of the row. Thus, the priming effect in the following discharge is generated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/431,576, filed Mar. 27, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. RE44,757, which is aContinuation of U.S. Reissue application Ser. No. 12/684,818, filed Jan.8, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. RE43,268, which is a Continuation of U.S.Reissue application Ser. No. 11/335,899, filed Jan. 20, 2006, now U.S.Pat. No. RE41,872, which is a Reissue of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/427,934, filed Oct. 27, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,680,718, and isrelated to U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/388,870 and 12/389,281,both filed on Feb. 19, 2009, now U.S. Pat. Nos. RE41,817 and RE41,832,respectively, which are both Divisional applications of Reissueapplication Ser. No. 11/335,899, now U.S. Pat. No. RE41,872, and is alsorelated to co-pending application Ser. No. 12/684,811, filed on Jan. 8,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. RE43,267, which is a Continuation of U.S.Reissue application Ser. No. 11/335,899, now U.S. Pat. No. RE41,872, andco-pending patent application Ser. No. 12/902,984, filed Oct. 12, 2010,now U.S. Pat. No. RE43,269, which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/684,811, now U.S. Pat. No. RE43,267, all ofwhich claim priority from Japanese Patent Application No. JP 10-330447,filed Nov. 20, 1998, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for driving a gas-dischargepanel such as a plasma display panel (PDP) or a plasma addressed liquidcrystal (PALC), and a display device using the gas-discharge panel.

A plasma display panel is coming into wide use as a large screen displaydevice for a television set taking advantage of commercialization ofcolor display. Along with the expansion of the market, requirement forreliability of operation has become more rigorous.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As a color display device, an AC type plasma display panel havingthree-electrode surface discharging structure is commercialized. Thisdevice has a pair of main electrodes for sustaining discharge disposedfor each row of matrix display, and an address electrode for eachcolumn. Diaphragms for suppressing discharge interference between cellsare disposed like a stripe. A discharge space is continuous over theentire length of each column. This AC type plasma display panel utilizesa memory function performed by wall charge on a dielectric layercovering the main electrodes on occasion of displaying. Namely, one pairof main electrodes is assigned to a scanning electrode and the addresselectrode is assigned to a data electrode for addressing by aline-sequential format for controlling the charging state of each cellcorresponding to the display contents. After that, a sustaining voltage(Vs) having alternating polarities is applied to all pairs of the mainelectrodes simultaneously. Thus, a cell voltage (Vc) that is a sum ofthe wall voltage (Vw) and the applied voltage can exceeds a dischargestarting voltage (Vf) only in a cell having a wall discharge above apredetermined quantity, so that the surface discharge occurs along thesurface of the substrate for each application of the sustaining voltage.By shortening the period of applying the sustaining voltage, continuousdisplaying state can be observed.

Concerning a display of sequential images like a television, theaddressing and the sustaining are repeated. In general, in order toprevent fluctuations of the display, preparation of addressing isperformed for making the charged state uniform over the entire screen,after sustaining of an image and before addressing of the next image.

In the conventional addressing, the charged quantity of the wall charge(wall voltage) is altered by generating the addressing discharge ineither the cell to be lighted or the cell not to be lighted. In thewriting address format, the wall charge remaining in the display screenis erased as preparation for addressing, and the addressing discharge isgenerated only in the cell to be lighted, so that an adequate quantityof wall charge is generated in the cell. In the erasing address format,an adequate quantity of wall charge is generated in all cells aspreparation of addressing, and then the addressing discharge isgenerated only in the cell not to be lighted, so that the wall charge inthe relevant cell is erased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the above-mentioned line-sequential addressing, the charge thatcontributes to the priming effect helping the addressing discharge occureasily is a space charge remaining after generated by the discharge forthe preparation of addressing and a space charge generated by addressingdischarge in the cell in the upstream side of the row selection(scanning). However, if the cell in the upstream side is not required togenerate the addressing discharge (like a cell not to be lighted in thewrite addressing format), only the space charge remaining aftergenerated at the stage of the preparation for addressing can contributeto the priming effect since the addressing discharge is not generated inthe upstream side. Since the space charge decreases along with timepassing, the remaining quantity of the space charge will be smaller, asthe addressing is coming to an end, so that delay of discharging becomeslarger. For this reason, in a cell of a row that is selected atrelatively late timing, there was a case where the addressing dischargecannot occur within the row selection period (scanning period for onerow) defined by a scan pulse width, resulting in a display defect. Anexample of the display defect is a “black noise” in which a part or awhole of the upper edge of a belt cannot be lighted, when the belt isdisplayed in the lower portion of the screen that is scanned vertically.Especially, in the structure in which the discharge space is defined bya diaphragm having a stripe pattern for each column, movement of thespace charge generating the priming effect can occur only in eachcolumn, resulting in a display defect.

A method for improving the above-mentioned problem is proposed inJapanese Unexamined Patent Publication 9-6280(A), in which a primingdischarge for forming the space charge is generated in the row to beselected before applying the scanning pulse that selects the row. Thepriming discharge is generated in all cells of the row regardless of thedisplay contents, so that the addressing discharge almost surely occurs.

However, in the conventional driving method, since a priming pulse forgenerating the priming discharge is applied to the next row to beselected at the same time as application of the scanning pulse to theselected row, it is difficult to optimize the pulse width and the peakvalue, so that the control becomes complicated. In addition, since thepulse width should be set to a little larger for ensuring generation ofthe priming discharge, the priming pulse should be applied for each row,and the time necessary for the addressing becomes longer. If the timingfor applying the pulse is shifted between rows, the row selection periodbecomes a sum of the priming pulse width and the scanning pulse width,so that the time necessary for the addressing becomes even longer.

The object of the present invention is to improve the reliability of theaddressing while suppressing enlargement of the time necessary for theaddressing.

In the present invention, while addressing for controlling the state ofthe cell in accordance with the state setting data such as display data,it is not selected whether the addressing discharge exists or not, butthe quantity of addressing discharge (movement of the electric charge).Namely, a voltage sufficient for generating addressing discharge abovethe minimum value regardless of the display contents is applied to allof the cells to be addressed. The intensity of the electric dischargedepends on the applied voltage.

For example, when the line-sequential addressing is adopted, the spacecharge that contributes to the priming effect in the row that will beselected next is generated in all of the cells included in the selectedrow. Therefore, the addressing discharge can be certainly generated forany display pattern by performing the row selection in the order thatmakes the distance between the nth selected row and the (n1)th selectedrow within a predetermined range so thai the space charge generated bythe addressing discharge becomes effective. If the scanning pulse widthis shortened in accordance with increase of the probability of theaddressing discharge, the display can be speed up.

The wall voltage can be varied by the addressing discharge in theaddressing of the gas-discharge panel in which each cell is charged bythe wall charge. Therefore, the wall voltage (the target value) beforechange is set so that the wall voltage after change becomes the desiredvalue.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show the change in the wall voltage in the addressing ofthe AC type plasma display panel to which the present invention isapplied.

The variation of the wall voltage can be adjusted by setting theintensity of the discharge. However, the variation of the electrodepotential will vary eilher in the direction from a high level to a lowlevel or the opposite direction. Therefore, the combination of lightingor not lighting and the intensity of the discharge includes two patternsas described below.

In the case of writing address format, the wall voltage Vw between mainelectrodes is set to a value Vw1 within a non-lighting range in whichthe sustaining discharge cannot be generated as a prcprocess of theaddressing process. The non-lighting range means a range in which thecell voltage does not exceeds the discharge starting voltage even if thesustaining voltage having the same polarity with the wall voltage Vw isapplied. The lower limil of the non-lighting range is the thresholdvalue Vth2 having the negative polarity, and the upper limil of thenon-lighting range is the threshold value Vth1 having the positivepolarity. In the addressing process, a strong addressing discharge isgenerated for the selected cell (the cell to be lightened), and the wallvoltage Vw is changed to a value in the lighting range in which thesustaining discharge can be generated in the polarity opposite to theprevious polarity. In the non-selected cell (the cell not to belightened), a weak addressing dis- charge is generated for the priming.In this case, the wall voltage Vw is changed from the value Vwl into alower value (zero in the figure).

In the case of erasing address formal, the wall voltage Vw between mainelectrodes is set to a value Vw2 within a lighting range in which thesustaining discharge can be generated as a prcprocess of the addressingprocess. In the addressing process, a strong addressing discharge isgenerated for the non-selected cell, and the wall voltage Vw is changedfrom the value Vw2 into a value in tbe non-lighting range (zero in thefigure). In the selected cell, a weak addressing discbarge is generatedfor the priming. In this case, the wall voltage Vw is changed from thevalue Vw2 into a value Vw2′ in the lighting-range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and ID show variations of the wall voltage in the addressing ofthe AC type plasma display panel to which the present invention isapplied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a plasma display device in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inner structure of the plasmadisplay panel.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure of the field.

FIG. 5 shows voltage waveforms in a first example of the drive sequence.

FIG. 6 shows voltage waveforms in a second example of the drivesequence.

FIG. 7 shows voltage waveforms in a third example of the drive sequence.

FIG. 8 shows voltage waveforms in a fourth example of the drivesequence.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the main electrode arrangement inaccordance with a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows voltage waveforms in a fifth example of the drivesequence,

FIG. 11 shows voltage waveforms in a sixth example of the drivesequence.

FIGS. 12A-12C show voltage waveforms of the address- ing preparationperiod.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a plasma display device 100 inaccordance with the present invention.

The plasma display device 100 includes an AC type plasma display panel 1that is of a thin-type and matrix-type color display device and adriving unit 80 for selectively lighting a plurality of cells C thatmake up a screen Is having m columns and n rows. The plasma displaydevice 100 is used for a wall-hung television set or a monitor of acomputer set.

The plasma display panel 1 has main electrodes X, Y that makes upelectrodes pairs and arc arranged in parallel for generating sustainingdischarge (or also called display discharge). The main electrodes X, Yand address electrodes A cross each other in each cell C so as to formthe three-electrode plane discharge structure. The main electrodes X, Yextend in the row direction (the horizontal direction) of the screen ES,and the main electrode Y is used for a scanning electrode that selectscells C row by row in addressing. The address electrodes A extend in thecolumn direction (the vertical direction), and are used for a dataelectrode that select cells C row by row. The area where the group ofthe main electrodes and the group of the address electrodes in thesubstrates surface becomes the display area (i.e., the screen ES).

The driving unit 80 includes a controller 81, a data processing circuit83, a power source circuit 84, an X-driver 85, a scan driver 86, aY-common driver 87, and an address driver 89. The driving unit 80 isdisposed at the rear side of the plasma display panel 1. Each driver andthe electrodes of the plasma display panel 1 are connected electricallyby a flexible cable (not shown). The driving unit 80 is provided withfield data DF indicating intensity levels (gradation level) of colors R,G and B of each pixel from ao external equipment such as a TV tuner or acomputer, as well as various synchronizing signals.

The field data DF are temporarily stored in a frame memory 830 in thedata processing circuit 83, and then arc converted into subfield dataDsf. The subfield data Dsf are stored in the frame memory 830 andtransferred to the address driver 89 at proper time. The value of eachbit of the subfield data Dsf is information indicating whether the cellis required to be lightened or not in the subfield for realizing thegradation mentioned below. More specifically, it is informationindicating whether the addressing discharge is strong or weak.

The X-drivcr 85 applies the driving voltage to all of the mainelectrodes X simultaneously. The electric commonality of the mainelectrodes X can be realized not only by the illustrated linkage on thepanel in FIG. 2 but by wiring inside the X-drivcr 85 or by wiring of theconnection cable. The scan driver 86 applies the driving voltage to themain electrode Y of the selected row in addressing. The Y-common driver87 applies the driving voltage to all of the main electrodes Ysimultaneously in sustaining. In addition, the address driver 89 appliesthe driving voltage to the total m of address electrodes A in accordancewith the subfield data Dsf for generating the first or second intensityof addressing discharge. These drivers are supplied with a predeterminedelectric power by the power source circuit 84 via wiring conductors (notshown).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inner structure of the plasmadisplay panel 1.

In the plasma display panel 1, a pair of main electrodes X, Y isarranged for each row on the inner side of a glass substrate 11 that isa base material of the front side substrate structure. The row is anarray of cells in the horizontal direction in the screen. Each of themain electrodes X, Y includes a transparent conductive film 41 and ametal film (a bus conductor) 42, and is coated with a dielectric layer17 that is made of low melting point glass and has thickness ofapproximately 30 microns. The surface of the dielectric layer 17 isprovided with a protection film 18 made of magnesia (Mg0) havingthickness of approximately several thousands angstroms. The addresselectrodes A are arranged on the inner surface of a glass substrate 21that is a base material of the rear side substrate structure, and iscoated with a dielectric layer 24 having thickness of approximately 10microns. A diaphragm 29 having linear band shape of 150 micron height isdisposed between the address electrodes A on the dielectric layer 24.Discharge spaces 30 are defined by these diaphragms 29 in the rowdirection for each subpixel (small lighting area), and the gap size ofthe discharge spaces 30 is defined. Three fluorescent layers 28R, 28G,28B for red, green and blue colors are disposed so as to cover the innerwall of the rear side including the upper portion of the addresselectrode A and the side wall of the diaphragm 29. The discharge space30 is filled with a discharge gas containing neon as the main ingredientand xenon. The fluorescent layers 28R, 28G, 28B are locally pumped toemit light by ultraviolet light emitted by the xenon gas on discharge. Apixel includes three subpixels aligned in the row direction. A structurein each subpixel is the cell (display element) C. Since the arrangementpattern of the diaphragm 29 is a stripe pattern, each part of thedischarge space 30 corresponding to each column is continuous in thecolumn direction over all rows.

A method for driving the plasma display panel 1 in the plasma displaydevice 100 will be explained as follows. First, reproduction of thegradation will be explained generally, and then driving sequence that isunique to the present invention will be explained in detail.

FIG. 4 shows a structure of the field.

The gradation is reproduced by controlling lighting with binary data indisplaying a television image. Therefore, each field f of the sequentialinput image is divided into, for example, eight subframes sf1, sf2, sf3,sf4, sf5, sf6, sf7 and sf8 (the numerical subscripts represent displayorder). In other words, each field f that makes up the frame is replacedwith eight subframes sf1-sf8. Each frame is divided into eight whenreproducing a non-interlace image such as an output of a computer.Weights are assigned so that the relative ratio of the intensity inthese subfields sf1-sf8 becomes approximately 1:2:4:8:16:32:64:128 forsetting the number of sustaining discharge. Since 256 steps of intensitycan be set by combination of light/non-light of each subfield for eachcolor, R, G, B, the number of color that can be displayed becomes 256³.It is not necessary to display subfields sf1-sf8 in the order of theweight of intensity. For example, optimizing can be performed in such away that the subfield sf8 having a large weight is disposed at themiddle of the field period Tf.

The subfield period Tsf_(j) that is assigned to each subfield sf_(j)(j=1-8) includes a preparation period TR for adjusting charge by theramp voltage, an address period TA for forming a charge distributioncorresponding to a display contents and a sustain period TS forsustaining the lightened state so as to ensure the intensitycorresponding to the gradation level. In each subfield period Tsf_(j),lengths of the preparation period TR and the address period TA areconstant regardless of the weight of the intensity, while the larger theweight of the intensity, the longer the length of the sustain period TSbecomes. Namely, the eight-subfield periods Tsf_(j) corresponding to onefield f are different from each other.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of voltage waveforms showing a first example of thedrive sequence. In this figure, main electrodes X, Y are denoted with asuffix (1, 2, . . . n) representing the arrangement order of thecorresponding row, and the address electrodes A are denoted with asuffix (1−m) representing the arrangement order of the correspondingcolumn. Other figures explained below will be in the same way.

The drive sequence that is repeated in every subfield is generallyexplained as follows.

In the preparation period TR, all of address electrodes A1-Am aresupplied with the pulse Pra1 and the opposite polarity pulse Pra2 insequence, all of the main electrodes X1-Xn are supplied with the pulsePrx1 and the opposite polarity pulse Prx2 in sequence, and all of themain electrodes Y1-Yn are supplied with the pulse Pry1 and the oppositepolarity pulse Pry2 in sequence. The pulse application means to bias theelectrode temporarily to a different potential from the referencepotential (e.g., the grand level). In this example, pulses Pra1, Pra2,Prx1, Prx2, Pry1 and Pry2 are ramp voltage pulses having a rate ofchange that generates minute discharge. The pulses Pra1, Prx1 have thenegative polarity, while the pulse Pry1 has the positive polarity.Application of the pulses Pra2, Prx2 and Pry2 having ramp waveformsenable the wall voltage to be adjusted into the value corresponding tothe subtract of the discharge starting voltage and the pulse amplitude.The pulses Pra1, Prx1 and Pry1 are applied so that the “former lightenedcell” that was lightened in the former subfield and the “formernon-lightened cell” that was not lightened in the former subfieldgenerate appropriate wall voltage.

In the address period TA, the scanning pulse Py is applied to the mainelectrodes Y1-Yn in the arrangement order. At the same time with thisrow selection, an address pulse Pa having the polarity opposite to thescanning pulse Py and the peak value corresponding to the subfield dataDsf of the selected row is applied to the address electrodes A1-Am.Namely, strong discharge is generated in the selected cell, while weakdischarge is generated in the non-selected cell. When the scanning pulsePy and the address pulse Pa are applied, discharge occurs between theaddress electrode A and the main electrode Y, which becomes a triggerfor generating discharge between the main electrodes X and Y. Thesesequential discharges, i.e., the addressing discharge, are related to adischarge starting voltage Vf_(AY) between the address electrode A andmain electrode Y (hereinafter, referred to as an electrode gap AY) and adischarge starting voltage Vf_(XY) between the main electrodes X, Y(hereinafter, referred to as an electrode gap XY). Therefore, in theabove-mentioned preparation period TR, adjustment of the wall voltage isperformed for both the electrode gap XY and the electrode gap AY. Thewall voltage between the electrode gaps AY may be a value such that thedischarge cannot occur before applying the scanning pulse Py to the mainelectrode Y.

In the sustain period TS, a sustain pulse Ps having a predeterminedpolarity (plus polarity in the illustrated example) is applied to all ofthe main electrodes Y1−Yn at first. Then, the sustain pulse Ps isapplied to the main electrodes X1−Xn and the main electrodes Y1—Ynalternately.

In this example, the final sustain pulse Ps is applied to the mainelectrodes X1—Xn. When the sustain pulse Ps is applied, a surfacedischarge will occur in the cell that is lighted this time and hasremaining wall charge in the address period TA. Every time when thesurface discharge occurs, the polarity of the wall voltage betweenelectrodes changes. All of the address electrodes A1—Am are biased tothe same polarity as the sustain pulse Ps in order to preventunnecessary discharge in the sustain period TS.

The wall voltage of the electrode gap XY at the end of the preparationperiod TR is represented by Vw1 (X side is positive), while the minimumvalue of the wall voltage of the electrode gap XY when the cell islighted in the sustain period TS is represented by V_(TH) (absolutevalue without polarity). In the plasma display panel 1, the mainelectrodes X, Y are arranged symmetrically with respect to the surfacedischarge gap. Therefore, the threshold levels Vth1, Vth2 shown in FIGS.1A and 1B have relationship such that Vth1=V_(TH) and Vth2=−V_(TH).Concerning the selected cell, the strong addressing discharge makes thewall voltage of the electrode gap XY change from Vw1 to −V_(TH) orbelow. Concerning the non-selected cell, a weak addressing dischargemakes the wall voltage of the electrode gap XY changes to a value higherthan −V_(TH) and lower than V_(TH) (preferably zero or a value nearlyequal to zero).

In order to control the addressing discharge, wall voltage is preferablyadjusted in the preparation process as explained In Japanese PatentApplication No. 10-157107. Usage of the ramp wave in the preparationprocess makes the adjustment of the wall voltage easy. When pluralminute discharges occur continuously or continuous discharges occur byapplying the ramp wave voltage, the sum of the applied voltage and thewall voltage during discharge is maintained at the value almost equal tothe discharge starting voltage. Therefore, a subtraction from thedischarge starting voltage of the peak voltage (pulse amplitude) of theramp wave becomes (i.e., yields) the wall voltage after the ramp wave isapplied. Compared with a rectangular wave, the ramp wave has lessquantity of light emission. It is also advantageous in reducing thebackground intensit.

The voltage waveform used for the preparation process is not limited toa ramp wave. Only the requirement is that the voltage between theelectrodes increases simply from the first set value to the second setvalue, while plural minute discharges can occur continuously orcontinuous discharges can occur. For example, the ramp waveform can bereplaced with an obtuse waveform or a step-like waveform shown in FIG.12. Alternatively, the voltage waveform may be a combination of pluralwaveforms selected from the ramp waveform, the obtuse waveform and thestep-like waveform.

An example of the applied voltages is explained as follows. Thedischarge starting voltage of the electrode gap XY is 220 volts, thedischarge starting voltage of the electrode gap AY is 170 volts.Hereinafter, concerning the polarity of the applied voltage and the wallvoltage, the X side is regarded as positive in the electrode gap XY,while the A side is regarded as positive in the electrode gap AY.

In the preparation period TR, the widths of the pulses Pra1, Prx1 andPry1 is 70 μs, the rate of potential change of the electrode gap XY is−4.2V/μs and the final voltage thereof is −300V, the ratio of voltagechange of the electrode gap AY is −2.8V/μs and the final voltage thereofis −200V. The wall voltage at the end of the pulse application is 80Vfor the electrode gap XY and 30V for the electrode gap AY. The widths ofthe pulses Pra2, Prx2 and Pry2 are 25 μs, the rate of potential changeof the electrode gap XY is 6.8V/μs and the final voltage is 170V.

The rate of potential change of the electrode gap AY is 6.8V/μs and thefinal voltage is 170V. The wall voltage at the end of the pulseapplication is 50V for the electrode gap XY and 0V for the electrode gapAY.

In the address period TA, the address electrode potential of the strongaddressing discharge is 80V, the address electrode potential of the weakaddressing discharge is 0V, and the potential of the main electrode X is80V. The potential of the main electrode Y when the scanning pulse isapplied is −140V, while the potential of the main electrode Y when thescanning pulse is not applied is 0V. The wall voltage of the electrodegap XY at the end of the strong addressing discharge is −120V, while thewall voltage of the electrode gap XY at the end of the weak addressingdischarge is 0V.

In the sustain period TS, the amplitude of the sustain pulse Ps is 170V,and the address electrode potential is 85V. In this case, the minimumvalue of the wall voltage for generating the sustaining discharge is70V.

In the conventional technique, addressing of a row needs 3 μs. However,in this example, since the addressing discharge in the upstream side ofrow selection contributes to the priming in the downstream, the addresspulse Pa having the pulse width of 1 μs enables stable addressing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the voltage waveform showing a second example ofthe drive sequence. This example is an erasing address format, in whichthe strong discharge occurs in the non-selected cell.

In the preparation period TR, the pulse having the ramp waveform isapplied in the same way as the example shown in FIG. 5, so that the wallvoltage of the electrode gap XY is controlled to the target value of thepreparation process.

In the address period TR, a weak addressing discharge is generated inthe selected cell when applying the scanning pulse. The intensity ofdischarge is set to the value such that the wall voltage of theelectrode gap XY after addressing discharge remains within the lightingrange. In the non-selected cell, a strong addressing discharge isgenerated when applying the scanning pulse, so that the wall voltage ofthe electrode gap XY is changed to a value within the non-lightingrange. The intensity of the discharge when applying the scanning pulseis controlled by the potential of the address electrode in the same wayas the example shown in FIG. 5.

The wall voltage of the electrode gap XY at the end of the preparationperiod is set to Vw2 (X side is positive), and the minimum value of thewall voltage of the electrode gap XY for the cell to be lightened in thesustain period TS is set to V_(TH) (absolute value). For the selectedcell, the wall voltage of the electrode gap XY is changed by the weakaddressing discharge in the range from Vw2 to Vth or more. For thenon-selected cell, the wall voltage of the electrode gap XY is changedby the strong addressing discharge to a value higher than −V_(TH) andlower than V_(TH) (preferably zero or a value nearly equal to zero).

An example of the applied voltages is explained as follows. Thedischarge starting voltage of the electrode gap XV is 220 volts, thedischarge starting voltage of the electrode gap AY is 170 volts.Hereinafter, concerning the polarity of the applied voltage and the wallvoltage, the X side is regarded as positive in the electrode gap XY,while the A side is regarded as positive in the electrode gap AY.

In the preparation period TR, the widths of the pulses Pra1, Prx1 andPry1 are 70 μs, the rate of potential change of the electrode gap XV is−6.0V/μs and the final vote thereof is 420V, the ratio of the voltagechange of the electoral gap AY is −3.6V/μs and the final voltage thereofis −250V. The wall voltage at the end of the pulse application is 200Vfor the electrode gap XY and 80V for the electrode gap AY. The widths ofthe pulses Pra2, Prx2 and Pry2 are 25 μs, the rate of potential changeof the electrode gap XY is 2.0V/μs and the final voltage is 50V. Therate of potential change of the electrode gap AY is 5.2V/μs and thefinal voltage is 130V. The wall voltage at the end of the preparationperiod is 170V for the electrode gap XY and 40V for the exclude gap AY.

The rate of potential change of the electrode gap AY is 5.2V/μs and thefinal voltage is 130V. The wall voltage at the end of the preparationperiod is 170V for the electrode gap XY and 40V for the electrode gapAY.

In the address period TA, the address electrode potential of the strongaddressing discharge is 40V, the address electrode potential of the weakaddressing discharge is 0V, and the potential of the main electrode X is0V. The potential of the main electrode Y when the scanning pulse isapplied is −100V, while the potential of the main electrode Y when thescanning pulse is not applied is 0V. The wall voltage of the electrodegap XY at the end of the weak addressing discharge is 120V, while thewall voltage of the electrode gap XY at the end of the strong addressingdischarge is 0V.

In the sustain period TS, the amplitude of the sustain pulse Ps is 170V,and the address electrode potential is 85V. In this case, the minimumvalue of the wall voltage for generating the sustaining discharge is70V.

In this example too, since the addressing discharge at the upstream sideof the row selection contributes to the priming in the downstream, theaddress pulse Pa having the pulse width of 1 μs enables stableaddressing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the voltage waveform showing a third example ofthe drive sequence.

In the addressing, the row selection is not required to perform in thearrangement order. Namely, it is only required that the space chargesupplied by the addressing discharge in a certain row is within adistance range that can contribute to the priming effect for the lateraddressing discharge. In FIG. 7, even rows and odd rows are selectedalternately, and the each group of even or odd rows is scanned by thearrangement order from the upper to the lower. When switching from theodd row to the even row, the row selection is performed by skipping tworows. Sufficient priming effect was obtained by the row selection withskipping two rows in the 25 inches and SXGA screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of the voltage waveform showing a fourth example ofthe drive sequence.

The rows constituting the screen are divided into the group of odd rowsand the group of even rows. The preparation periods TR1, TR2 and theaddress periods TA1, TA2 are assigned to each group. The sustain periodTS is common to both groups.

Dividing the address process into two, the potential of the mainelectrode X of the selected row can be different from the potential ofthe main electrode X of the non-selected row that is adjacent to theselected row, so that the propagation of the space charge generated bythe addressing discharge along the row direction is controlled.

The second preparation period TR2 is provided for the followingpurposes. One purpose is to readjust the potential of the even rowssince the state of the wall charge of the even rows is disturbed alittle by the addressing discharge of the odd rows (the first addressprocess). Another purpose is to supply the priming particle to theaddressing discharge of the head of the even row (the second addressprocess).

In the preparation period TR2, only the charges of the even rows arecontrolled without disturbing the state of the wall charge of the oddrows. For this reason, the pulse applied to the even rows in thepreparation period TR2 is the same as the first preparation period TR1,while the pulse applied to the main electrodes X, Y of the odd rows inthe preparation period TR2 is the same as the pulses Pra1 and Pra2applied to the address electrodes A1-Am. Thus, the applied voltage ofthe electrode gap AY and the electrode gap XY within the cell of the oddrows in the preparation period TR2 becomes zero, so that the state ofthe wall charge cannot be disturbed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing of the main electrode arrangement of asecond embodiment. FIG. 10 shows voltage waveforms of a fifth example ofthe drive sequence.

In the above-mentioned first to fourth examples, supply of the primingparticle to the first addressing discharge in the subfield is performedby the discharge in the preparation process. In order to ensure thesupply of the priming particle, it is more effective to generate thepriming discharge after the preparation process and before starting theaddressing. For example, the outside of the screen ES in the rowdirection is provided with an auxiliary main electrode (an electrode forpriming) that is similar to the main electrodes X, Y so as to generatepriming discharge by the auxiliary main electrode. In the example shownin FIG. 9, the auxiliary main electrodes DY1, DX1 are disposed at theoutside of the main electrodes Y1, X1 of the first row, and theauxiliary main electrodes DY2, DX2 are disposed at the outside of themain electrodes Yn, Xn of the final row. As shown in FIG. 10, the pulsePp is applied to the auxiliary main electrode DY1 so as to generate thepriming, then the scanning is started from the main electrode Y1 that isclosest to the auxiliary main electrode DY1 in the screen. Though thepeak value of the pulse Pp is the same as the scanning pulse Py, thepulse width is set longer than the scanning pulse P so as to increasethe discharge probability. The arrangement of the pair of auxiliary mainelectrodes makes the pairs of main electrodes at the first and finalrows adjacent to the main electrodes at both sides in the same way asthe other pair of main electrodes. Therefore, the discharge condition isuniformed and the display quality is increased.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the voltage waveform showing a sixth example ofthe drive sequence.

In the above-mentioned fourth example, the second preparation period TR2is provided. However, the second preparation period TR2 can beeliminated when the disturbance of the charge state of the even rows bythe address process of the odd rows is sufficiently small. It ispreferable that in order to supply the priming particle to the firstaddressing discharge of the latter half of the address process, the pairof auxiliary main electrodes may be used so as to generate the primingdischarge before the latter half of the address process. The primingdischarge can be generated just before the address process of the oddrow.

When the addressing is performed independently for the odd rows and foreven rows as explained in the fourth and sixth examples, the mainelectrodes X of the odd rows can be common and controlled by the firstdriver, while the main electrodes X of the even rows can be common andcontrolled by the second driver.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the target to be driven is theplasma display panel 1 having structure in which the main electrodes X,Y and the address electrode A are covered with the dielectric material.However, the present invention can be also applied to the structure inwhich either electrode making up a pair is covered with the dielectricmaterial. For example, even in the structure that has no dielectricmaterial for covering the address electrode A, or the structure in whichone of the main electrodes X, Y is exposed to the discharge space 30,the sufficient wall voltage can be generated in the electrode gaps XY,AY. The polarity, the value, the application time and the rate of risingchange of the applied voltage are not limited to the examples. The thepresent invention can be applied not only to display devices includingthe plasma display panel, PALC, but also to gas-discharge devices havingother structure without utilizing the memory function by the wallcharge. The gas-discharge is not necessarily required to be for display.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for driving a gas-discharge panel inwhich line-sequential addressing is performed for setting a state ofcells arranged in rows and columns, the method comprising generating adischarge in all cells of a selected row, irrespective of a state to beset in each of the cells for each selection of the row in addressing, anintensity of the discharge in each of the cells of the selected rowbeing set in accordance with state setting data corresponding to each ofthe cells of the selected row.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein the intensity is set to either a first intensity for cells to belit during the line-sequential addressing by applying a voltage in thecells to be lit to achieve restart of a discharge in a light sustainingoperation or a second intensity for cells not to be lit during theline-sequential addressing by applying a voltage in the cells not to belit to prohibit restart of a discharge in the light sustainingoperation.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gas-dischargepanel includes scanning electrodes for selecting respective rows anddata electrodes for selecting respective columns crossing the rows atrespective cells, the scanning electrodes and the data electrodes beingcovered with a dielectric layer for providing wall voltage, a dischargespace being continuous over an entire length of each of the columns, themethod further comprising: applying a preparation pulse to the cells ofthe selected row before performing the addressing to set a wall voltageof each cell to a predetermined level to perform an addressingpreparation; generating the discharge in a first intensity for cells tobe lit during the line-sequential addressing by applying a voltage inthe cells to be lit to increase a wall charge level set after theapplied preparation pulse to achieve restart of the discharge in a lightsustaining operation; and generating the discharge in a second intensityfor cells not to be lit during the line-sequential addressing byapplying a voltage in the cells not to be lit to decrease a wall chargelevel set after the applied preparation pulse to prohibit restart of thedischarge in the light sustaining operation.
 4. The method according toclaim 3, further comprising: biasing each of the data electrodes to afirst potential or a second potential in accordance with the statesetting data of one row synchronizing with a row selection by anindependent potential control with respect to each of the scanningelectrodes.
 5. A method for driving a gas-discharge panel in whichline-sequential addressing is performed for setting a state of cellsarranged in rows and columns so as to constitute a display screen, themethod comprising generating a discharge in all cells of a selected row,irrespective of a state to be set in each of the cells for eachselection of the row in addressing, an intensity of the discharge ineach of the cells of the selected row being set in accordance with statesetting data corresponding to each of the cells of the selected row. 6.A method for driving a gas-discharge panel having a display screenincluding cells arranged in rows and columns, a scanning electrode forselecting a corresponding row and a data electrode for selecting acorresponding column crossing at a corresponding cell, one of thescanning electrode and the data electrode being covered with adielectric layer for providing wall voltage, a discharge space beingcontinuous over an entire length of each of the columns, the methodcomprising: performing line-sequential addressing to control the wallvoltage of all cells of the screen in accordance with binary displaydata and sustaining by applying an alternating voltage to all cells of aselected row, repeatedly; and generating a discharge having either afirst or a second intensity depending on the display data correspondingto each of the cells of the selected row for each selection of the rowin the addressing.
 7. The method according to claim 6, furthercomprising: applying a preparation pulse to the cells of the selectedrow before performing the addressing so as to perform an addressingpreparation for setting the wall voltage of each cell to a predeterminedlevel; generating the discharge having a first intensity for cells to belit in the addressing so as to make a level of the wall voltage set inthe addressing preparation increase to a sufficient level to regeneratea discharge in a light sustaining operation; and generating thedischarge having a second intensity for cells not to be lit in theaddressing so as to make the level of the wall voltage set in theaddressing preparation decrease to a level such that a discharge cannotrestart in the sustaining operation.
 8. The method according to claim 7,further comprising: biasing each of the data electrodes to a firstpotential or a second potential in accordance with the display data ofone row synchronizing with the row selection by an independent potentialcontrol with respect to each of the scanning electrodes.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 7, further comprising: applying a voltage to anelectrode gap of the cells generating a discharge in the addressing, inthe addressing preparation the voltage increasing from a first set valueto a second set value, so as to adjust the wall voltage of the electrodegap by generating plural discharges or a continuous discharge in arising period of the voltage.
 10. The method according to claim 6,further comprising: applying a preparation pulse to the cells of theselected row before performing the addressing so as to perform anaddressing preparation for setting the wall voltage of each cell to apredetermined level; generating the discharge having a first intensityfor cells to be lit in the addressing so as to make a level of the wallvoltage set in the addressing preparation maintain a sufficient level toregenerate a discharge in a light sustaining operation; and generatingthe discharge having a second intensity for cells not to be lit in theaddressing so as to make the level of the wall voltage set in theaddressing preparation decrease to a level such that a discharge cannotrestart in the sustaining operation.
 11. The method according to claim10, further comprising: biasing each of the data electrodes to a firstpotential or a second potential in accordance with the display data ofone row synchronizing with the row selection by an independent potentialcontrol with respect to each of the scanning electrodes.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 10, further comprising: applying a voltage to anelectrode gap of the cells generating a discharge in the addressing, inthe addressing preparation the voltage increasing from a first set valueto a second set value, so as to adjust the wall voltage of the electrodegap by generating plural discharges or a continuous discharge in arising period of the voltage.
 13. The method according to claim 6,further comprising: biasing each of the data electrodes to a firstpotential or a second potential in accordance with the display data ofone row synchronizing with the row selection by an independent potentialcontrol with respect to each of the scanning electrodes.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 6, wherein the discharge is generated one time in thecells of the selected row in the addressing.
 15. The method according toclaim 6, wherein the row selection is performed in a order such that ina second row selection and after the second row selection the dischargein a former row selection become effective as a priming discharge. 16.The method according to claim 6, further comprising: dividing the rowsof the screen into a group of odd rows and a group of even rows;addressing each group by time sharing; and applying a voltage to allcells of the latter group between the addressing of the former group andthe addressing of the latter group, so as to generate a primingdischarge.
 17. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:disposing one or more auxiliary electrodes that are similar to thescanning electrode at the outside of the screen in a row direction; andapplying a voltage to the one or more auxiliary electrodes in theaddressing for generating a priming discharge before a first rowselection.
 18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:dividing the rows of the screen into a group of odd rows and a group ofeven rows; addressing each group by time sharing; and applying a voltageto the one or more auxiliary electrodes close to the row that isselected first in the latter group between the addressing of the formergroup and the addressing of the latter group, so as to generate thepriming discharge.
 19. A display device comprising: a gas-dischargepanel having a display screen including cells arranged in rows andcolumns, and having a structure in which a scanning electrode forselecting a corresponding row and a data electrode for selecting acorresponding column cross each other at a corresponding cell, at leastone of the scanning electrode and data electrode is covered with adielectric layer for providing a wall voltage, and a discharge space iscontinuous over an entire length of each of the columns; a drive circuitperforming line-sequential addressing to control the wall voltage of allcells of the display screen in accordance with binary display data, andsustaining by applying the alternating voltage to all cells of aselected row, wherein the drive circuit generates a discharge havingeither a first intensity or a second intensity depending on the displaydata corresponding to each of the cells of the selected row for eachselection of the row as the addressing.
 20. The display device accordingto claim 19, further comprising: a drive circuit that applies a voltageto an electrode gap of the cells generating a discharge in theaddressing, in an addressing preparation, the voltage increasing from afirst set value to a second set value, the drive circuit adjusting thewall voltage of the electrode gap by generating plural discharges or acontinuous discharge in a rising period of the voltage as the addressingpreparation.
 21. A method for driving a gas-discharge panel in whichpoint-sequential addressing is performed for setting a state of cellsarranged in rows and columns, the method comprising: generating adischarge in a selected cell, irrespective of a state to be set in thecell for each selection in the addressing, an intensity of the dischargein the cell being set in accordance with state setting datacorresponding to the cell.
 22. A method for driving a gas-dischargepanel in which a plurality of discharge cells each having a memoryfunction produced by a wall charge are arranged in a matrix, the methodcomprising: applying a predetermined preparation pulse to all of thedischarge cells arranged in the matrix, simultaneously, so as to set awall charge of each of the discharge cells to a predetermined level;addressing to make the discharge cells of the matrix forming the wallcharge perform line-sequential addressing discharges; displaying byapplying a predetermined sustain pulse to the discharge cells arrangedin the matrix, so as to make the addressed discharge cells performsustain discharges; and the addressing including generating a dischargein the discharge cells of the matrix, wherein a discharge of a firstintensity is generated in the discharge cells to be addressed byapplying a voltage producing a discharges having a level sufficient tostore sufficient wall charge for restarting the discharges in thedisplaying, while a discharge of a second intensity is generated in thedischarge cells not to be addressed, the second intensity lowering alevel of the wall charge set in the applying to a level that disablesrestarting the discharge in the displaying.
 23. A method for driving agas-discharge panel in which a plurality of discharge cells, each havinga memory function produced by a wall charge, are arranged in a matrix,the method comprising: applying a preparation pulse, simultaneously toall of the discharge cells arranged in the matrix to set a wall chargeof each of the discharge cells to a first level; and addressing thedischarge cells to perform line-sequential addressing discharges, theaddressing including generating a first intensity discharge or a secondintensity discharge in the discharge cells of the matrix, wherein afirst intensity discharge is generated in the discharge cells to be litby applying a voltage in the discharge cells to be lit to increase thewall charge level to a second level greater than the first level setafter the applied preparation pulse to achieve restart of a discharge ina light sustaining operation and a second intensity discharge isgenerated in the discharge cells not to be lit by applying a voltage inthe discharge cells not to be lit to lower a wall charge level to athird level less than the first level set after the applied preparationpulse to prohibit restart of a discharge in the light sustainingoperation.
 24. A method for driving a gas-discharge panel having adisplay screen including cells arranged in rows and columns, a scanningelectrode for selecting a corresponding row and a data electrode forselecting a corresponding column crossing at a corresponding cell, thescanning electrode making a main electrode pair with a third electrodeat respective corresponding cells, at least two of the two electrodesmaking the main electrode pair and the data electrode being covered witha dielectric layer for providing wall voltage, the method comprising:performing an addressing preparation to initialize the wall voltage ofall cells of the screen, performing line-sequential addressing tocontrol the wall voltage of all cells of the screen in accordance withbinary display data and sustaining by applying an alternating voltage toall cells of a selected row, repeatedly; applying a voltage to at leastone of electrode gaps of the cells generating a discharge in theaddressing, in the addressing preparation the voltage increasing from afirst set value to a second set value, so as to adjust the wall voltageof the electrode gap by generating plural discharges or a continuousdischarge in a rising period of the voltage; and setting the voltage tobe applied to the electrode gap to which the increasing voltage isapplied higher than the second set value irrespective of a value ofdisplay data, when a scanning pulse for selecting a corresponding row isapplied to the scanning electrode in the addressing.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 24, wherein the electrode gap to which the increasingvoltage is applied is the electrode gap of the main electrode pair. 26.The method according to claim 24, wherein a discharge space of thegas-discharge panel is continuous over an entire length of each of thecolumns.
 27. A method for driving a plasma display panel having a pairof main electrodes arranged in a row and an address electrode arrangedin a column, and displaying an image using subfields, at least one ofthe subfields having a first address preparation period, a firstaddressing period, a second address preparation period, and a secondaddressing period, the method comprising: setting the second addresspreparation period to be subsequent to the first addressing period,setting the second addressing period to be subsequent to the secondaddress preparation period, applying a pulse having a voltage changingwith time to negative direction to one of the pair of main electrodesserving as a scan electrode, in the first address preparation period andthe second address preparation period, wherein a selection of row isperformed in each of the first addressing period and the secondaddressing period.
 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein theselection of row is performed by applying a scan pulse having a negativepolarity to the scan electrode, upon the application of the scan pulsein the first addressing period, a potential difference between the pairof main electrodes on the row thus selected is greater than a maximumvalue of a potential difference between the pair of main electrodes, inthe first address preparation period and the second address preparationperiod.
 29. The method according to claim 27, wherein, in the first andsecond address preparation periods, the pulse having a voltage changingwith time generates plural discharges or continuous discharge.
 30. Themethod according to claim 27, wherein, in the first addressing period orthe second addressing period, a potential applied to other of the mainelectrodes is larger than a ground potential but smaller than asustaining voltage while the scan electrode is selecting a row.
 31. Themethod according to claim 27, wherein, the pulse having a voltagechanging with time is one of a ramp waveform, an obtuse waveform, or astep-like waveform.
 32. A method for driving a plasma display panelhaving a pair of main electrodes arranged in a row and an addresselectrode arranged in a column, and displaying an image using subfields,at least one of the subfields having a first address preparation period,a first addressing period following the first address preparation perioda second address preparation period following the first addressingperiod, and a second addressing period following the second addresspreparation period, the method comprising: applying, in the firstaddress preparation period, a voltage that has a waveform changing withtime to negative direction and serves to control wall voltage as addresspreparation to one of the pair of main electrodes to which a scan pulseis applied at least in the first addressing period, and applying, in thesecond address preparation period, a voltage that has the waveform andserves to control the wall voltage as the address preparation to saidone of the pair of main electrodes to which the scan pulse is applied atleast in the second addressing period.
 33. The method according to claim32, wherein upon the application of the scan pulse, a potentialdifference between the pair of main electrodes is greater than a maximumvalue of a potential difference between the pair of main electrodes fora case where the voltage having the waveform is applied in the firstaddressing period and the second addressing period.
 34. The methodaccording to claim 32, wherein, in the first and second addresspreparation periods, the voltage having the waveform changing with timeto negative direction generates plural discharges or continuousdischarge.
 35. The method according to claim 32, wherein, the voltagehaving the waveform changing with time to negative direction has awaveform of one of a ramp waveform, an obtuse waveform, or a step-likewaveform.